Forming die



Jan. 11, 1944. B. SCHLENZIG 2,339,032

FORMING DIE Filed June 25, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 11, 1944. sc Z 2,339,032

FORMING DIE Filed June 25, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4.

l'V/f/VESS: 1 76.5. 8 AVVE/W'OA Jan. 11, 1944. B, SCHLENZIG 2,339,032

FVORMING DIE Filed June 25, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 11, 1944.

B, SCHLENZIG FORMING DIE 4 Sheets-Sheei; 4

Filed June 25, 1941 mama .1. 11, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FORMING pm Benhardt Schlenxig, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application June 25, 1941, Serial No. 399,749 1 Claims. (01. 112-49) This invention relates to an improvement in forming die, more particularly adapted for the formation, by drawing in a single operation, of channel section shapes in which one or both of the flanges extend from the web at an acute or at an obtuse angle.

The die according to this invention is adapted for the formation, in a single operation, of arcuate, straight, combined straight and arcuate, and other shapes, such, for example, as are used for the formation of ribs, stifl'eners, and the like, in airplane construction; and the die is adapted to produce channel'section shapes, the angle of the flanges of which with reference to the web is varied in the lineal extension thereof.

Generally speaking, the die according to this invention comprises female-and male members. The male member, the surface of which supports the web portion of a blank, is provided with opposite faces extending, with respect to its surface, at the angle or angles at which the flanges are intended to extend with respect to the web; and is fixed with respect to a suitable base. Fixed retainer means providedwith faces parallel to the faces of the male member are positioned in spaced opposite relation to the male member.

The female members are respectively provided with faces corresponding to the opposite faces of the male member. and are mounted upon a suitable support for lateral and lengthwise movement in the plane of the support. The female members additionally are formed of material such that they will have inherent flexibility, and the working edges of the female members are rounded.

In association with the female members is a spring backed floater adapted, in the operation of the die, to hold the web portion of the blank, while spring backed wipers are positioned between the male member and the retainer means for ejection of the finished product.

As will appear more fully, in the operation of the die in accordance with this invention the metal of the blank will be smoothly drawn, rather than bent, in the formation of the flanges, without the production of bulges or tucks and without marring of the surface of the metal.

The die in accordance with this invention will be most adaptable for. use in the shaping of non-ferrous metals and alloys, which are relatively soft compared with, for example, ferrous alloys. However, its use is, of course, not intended to be so limited. v

Having now indicated in a general way the nature and purpose of this'invention, I will proceed to a detailed description of a preferred embodiment, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure '1 is a plan view of a male die member.

Figure 2 is a plan view of female die members.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a channel section shape.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of male and female die members, for forming inward flanges, in open position.

Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4. with the die members closed.

Figures 6 and 7 are similar to Figures 4 and 5 for forming outward flanges.

Figure 8 is a view, partly in section and partly diagrammatic, showing steps in the drawing operation of the dies.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view showing products of various cross section.

. Figure 10 is a view showing various shapes of products.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, a male die member I, of arcuate shape in its extension, is provided with opposite faces 2, 2 of a height in excess of that of the flanges to be formed. The faces 2, 2, respectively, are formed at an angle to the surface of the member, the angle of the faces being determined by. the angle desired for the flanges of the product, As shown in Figure 4, one of the faces 2 may extend at a right angle to the surface of the member, while the other face may extend inwardly at an acute angle. One or both of the faces may extend inwardly at an acute angle or outwardly at an obtuse angle and one or both of the faces may extend at a right angle. The male member I, in its extension, may be arcuate, more or less circular or partly arcuate or more or less circular and partly straight, as will be clear from an inspection of Figure 8.

The ends of the male die member abut against a pair of abutments I, 3, which serve to space and to which .are secured retainer members 4, 4.'

The retainer members 4, 4 are spaced from the male die member I a distance greater than the depth of the flanges of the product. The faces 5, 5 of the retainer members, respectively, are desirably, though not necessarily, parallel to the opposite faces 2, 2, respectively, of the male die member I.-

The male die member I, the abutments. 3, 3, and the retainer members 4, 4 are mounted on a base 6. 4

In the spaces between the male die member I and the. retainer members 4, 4 are positioned wipers I, 1, which are, resiliently mounted, as on heavy springs], 8-, seated in recesses 9, 9 in the base 6, or hydraulic jacks, rubber pads, or the like. The springs 8, 8 are normally of, a length such that they will supportthe wipers I, l

on a level with the surface of the maledie mem-= ber I. The wipers are provided with vertically extendingpins I0, I0, which are arranged to align a blank II with respect to the maledie I, as

indicated in Figure 1. The wipers I, 1 are of a length such that when in normal position their ends are spaced from the abutments 3, 3.

The female die members l2, l2, are provided, respectively, with opposite faces l3, la in parallelism with the opposite faces of the male die member and the retainer members, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The female die members are secured to a base I4, for lateral and lengthwise movement in the plane of the base, when the faces are at an acute or an obtuse angle, by means of machine screws l5 passing through flexible rubber mountings l8, recessed in the base and an enlarged aperture I! in the base. The screws l5 are retained against vertical movement by means of washers l8 recessed in the base, spanning the mountings l8, and provided with enlarged apertures for passage of the screws, upon which in turn bear washers I9, which span the enlarged apertures in washers l8 and against which the heads 20 of the screws bear. Apertures 21, 21 are provided in the fe male members l2, [2 for reception of the pins Hi.

It in the forming operation.

Between the female members 12, I2 is positioned a floater 2| secured to the base l4 by machine screws 22 and backed by springs 23, of substantially less strength in the aggregate than springs 8, 8 in the aggregate, extending into recesses in the base H. The edges 24, 24 of the floater 2! are in parallelism with the opposite faces of the female die members l2 and the lower surface of the floater conforms in area to the upper surface of the male die member I.

Speaking generally, the clearance between the faces of the female die members I2, I 2 and the faces of the male die member I will be approximately that of the thickness of the metal to be shaped. The upper comers of the male die member will be slightly rounded, as at 25, 25 and the inner lower corners of the female die members l2 will be rounded, as at 26, 26, on a radius approximately equal to the thickness of the metal to be shaped.

As will be observed from an inspection of Figure 1, where one or both of the faces of the male die member I extend inwardly at an acute angle to the surface of the member the radii of the face or faces of both the die member and the retainer member will decrease from top to bottom, as shown by radius lines G, G and H, H, Figure 1. Likewise, the radii of one or both of these faces will increase from top to bottom where one or both of the faces extend outwardly at an obtuse angle to the surface of the male die member. As a consequence, the female die members in operation must conform and to such end are movably mounted, as has been described, and are formed from material having requisite inherent flexibility to conform to the decreased or increased radii.

By way of example, the female die members may be formed of masonite, a compressed wood product, Bakelite, or of any other suitable material having requisite solidity with respect to the metal to be formed and requisite flexibility to conform to the changed radii incident to the desired angle for the flange or flanges of the product.

The wipers I, I will be formed from flexible material and will closely flt between the male member I and the retainer members except at their ends, clearance at which will permit them to conform to the changed radii. The wipers may be formed from Bakelite, masonite, or other suitable material.

The abutments 3, 3 and retainer members 4, 4

and the male die member I may be made of any suitablematerial, but will desirably, especially for the formation of non-ferrous, relatively soft alloys, be formed from masonite, Bakelite, or the like, easily worked material.

The operation of the die according to this invention will, it is ,believed, be readily understood by reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6. However, a blank I I is aligned on the male die member, between the pins I0 extending from the wipers l, I. The female members are then brought down, as by a suitable press. In the descent of the female members the floater 2| first clamps the web portion of the blank to the surface of the male die member I (see Figs. 4 and 6). In the continued descent the female members conform to the faces of the male die member, by virtue of the forcing action of the retainer members and their capacity to move laterally (see Fig. 5 in comparison with Fig. 4), enabling them to move inwardly and their inherent flexibility enabling them to conform to the decreasing radii, and draw the flanges, as shown by the several steps AF, Fig. 8.

In the drawing operation for the formation of the flanges, the wipers 1, I are depressed against their springs 8, 8 and serve to hold and support the flange portions of the blank throughout the drawing operation for the formation of the flange.

When the flanges are formed the female die members are retracted and the wipers I, I, under the influence of the springs, serve to eject the finished shape from the male die, through engagement with the edges of the flanges. In the ejection of the finished product where one or both of the flanges are faced inwardly, such flange is sprung over the upper portion of the male die, but since it is drawn rather than bent, it will spring back. The wiper springs are of sufficient strength to afford support for the flange portions of the blank in the formation of the flanges and to eject the finished shape when one or both of the flanges extend inwardly.

As will now be obvio vs, shapes of various cross section I, J, and K, as shown by Figure 9, and various shapes L and M, as shown by Figure 10. may be produced. Also, as shown in Figure 8. one or both of th flanges of the shape N may, in its extension, extend at different angles.

It will be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of this invention by the above detailed disclosure, given for purposes of illustration, since it is contemplated that various modifications in detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A forming die comprising an arcuate male member having a plane surface and a side face out of perpendicularity with respect to said surface, a retainer member having an arcuate face opposite and parallel to said side face of the male member and spaced therefrom, an arcuate fethat said female member may continuously conform to changes in the curvature of the surface contours of the opposed parallel faces of the male member and of the retainer member as the female member moves therebetween from top to bottom, a base and means for securing the female member to said base for movement relative to the base in the plane of the base.

2. A forming die comprising an arcuate male member having a plane surface and a side face out of perpendicularity with respect to said surface, a retainer member having an arcuate face opposite and parallel to said side face of the male member and spaced therefrom, an arcuate female member having side faces parallel to the opposed faces of the male member and retainer member and adapted to enter the space between said faces of said members with lateral clearance approximately equal to that of the stock to be fonned, said female member being formed from material having such inherent flexibility that said female member may continuouslyconform to changes in the curvature of the surface contours of the opposed parallel faces of the male member and of the retainer member as the female member moves th'erebetween from top to bottom.

3. A forming die comprising an arcuate male member having a plane -surface and a side face out of perpendicularity with respect to said surface, a retainer member having an arcuate face opposite and parallel to said side face of the male member and spaced therefrom, an arcuate female member having side faces parallel to the opposed faces of the male member and retainer member and adapted to enter the space between said faces of said members with lateral clearance approximately equal to that of the stock to be formed, said female member being formed from material having such inherent flexibility that said female member may continuously conform to changes in the curvature of the surface contours of the opposed parallel faces of the male member and of the retainer member as the female member moves therebetween from top to bottom, a base and means for securing the female member to said base for movement relative to the base in the plane of the base, said female member having the lower edge of its face adjacent to the male member rounded on a radius approximately equal to the thickness of the stock to be formed.

4. A forming die comprising an arcuate male member having a plane surface and a side face out of perpendicularity with respect to said surface, a retainer member having an arcuate face opposite and parallel to said side face of the male member and spaced therefrom, an arcuate female member having side faces parallel to the opposed faces of the male member and retainer member and adapted to enter the space between said faces of said members with lateral clearance approximately equal to that of the stock to be formed, said female member being formed from material having such inherent flexibility that said female member may continuously conform to changes in the curvature of the surface contours of the Opposed parallel faces of the male member and of the retainer member as the female member moves therebetween from top to bottom. said female member having the lower edge of its face adjacent to the male member rounded on a radius approximately equal to the thickness of the stock to be formed.

5. A forming die comprising an arcuate male member having a plane surface and a side face 5 out of perpendicularity with respect to said surface, the upper edge of said side face bein rounded on a radius approximately equal to the thickness of the stock to be formed, a retainer member having an arcuate face opposite and parallel to said side face of the male member and spaced therefrom, an arcuate female member having side faces parallel to the opposed faces of the male member and retainer member and adapted to enter the space between said faces of said members with lateral clearance approximately equal to that of the stock to be formed, said female member being formed from material having such inherent flexibility that said female member may continuously conform to changes in the curvature of the surface contours of the opposed parallel faces of the male member and of the retainer member as the female member moves therebetween from top to bottom.

6. A forming die comprising an arcuate male member having a plane surface and a side face out of perpendicularity with respect to said surface, a retainer member having an arcuate face opposite and parallel to said side face of the male member and spaced therefrom, an arcuate female member having side faces parallel to the opposed faces of the male member and retainer member and adapted to enter the space between said faces of said members with lateral clearance approximately equal to that of the stock to be formed, said female member being formed from material having such inherent flexibility that said female member may continuously conform to changes in the curvature of the surface contours of the opposed parallel faces of the male member and of the retainer member as the female member moves therebetween from top to bottom, a base and means including a flexible member for securing the female member to said base for movement relative to the base in the plane of the base.

7. A forming die comprising an arcuate male member having a plane surface and a side face out of perpendicularity with respect to said surface, the upper edge of said surface being rounded on a radius about equal to that of the stock to be formed, a retainer member having an arcuate face opposite and parallel to said side face of the male member and spaced therefrom, an arcuate female member having side faces parallel to the opposed faces of the male member and the retainer member adapted to enter the space be-- tween said faces of said members with lateral clearance approximately equal to that of the stock to be formed, said female member being formed from material having such inherent flexibility that said female member may continuously conform to changes in the curvature of the surface contours of the opposed parallel faces of the male member and of the retainer member as the female member moves bottom, said female member having the lower edge of its face adjacent to themale member rounded on a radius approximately equal to the thickness of the stock to be formed. a base and means including a flexible element for securing the female member to said base for lateral and lengthwise movement relative to the base in the plane of the base.

BENHARDT SCHLENZIG.

therebetween from top to 

